#116 – Lovely Rita with guest Matt Hobbs (songwriter, creator of “Puppy Songs”)

It takes a certain higher level of creativity to write a song based around the more mundane and every-day-type affairs. Obviously, that’s something Paul McCartney has in spades, as he was able to turn an encounter with a meter maid into the Sgt. Pepper track “Lovely Rita.” A bouncing song held down with a really funky groove from Ringo, a ridiculously cool bass part from Paul, all manners of vocal effects and sounds, it’s the kind of track that they Beatles could’ve only put out on the Sgt. Pepper album. There’s a humor to the whole process that belies the fact that it’s author is one of the smoothest bachelors in the world, but ultimately strikes out in his attempt to woo said meter maid. Who would write a song about this? Paul McCartney, of course.

Joining us for our 100TH EPISODE (!!!) is Atlanta-based-by-way-of-New-Orleans songwriter Matt Hobbs. Matt’s the brains behind Puppy Songs, the creator of viral songs inspired by his dogs (and listeners dogs), a master at taking the mundane, every-day-type affairs, like the goofy things we sing to our pets, and turning them into insanely catchy songs. His recent song ⁠”Cheese Tax”⁠ landed him, as well as his pups Leni and Mar Pup on NPR, The Today Show, and a list of other sites, podcasts, and interviews, including a sponsorship with Kraft Sings, who made their own Cheese Tax pack. Puppy Songs has been a constant source of smiles in our house, and we think you should give a follow on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠, or ⁠TikTok,⁠ or ⁠check it out on Spotify⁠, even if you don’t have pups of your own. Also, check out Matt’s new-non-puppy single, ⁠”How Amazing,” ⁠which is out now! We chat with Matt about finding ways to stand out, sharing your authentic self, White Album summers, the REAL Rita, and living (musically) by the idea of WWPD? What would Paul Do?

What do you think? Too high? Too low? Or just right? Let us know in the comments on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rankingthebeatles⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rankingbeatles⁠! Be sure to visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rankingthebeatles.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Wanna show your support? ⁠Buy us a coffee⁠!

Reviews

Judge Timbers

Ranking the songs of the Beatles? What could possibly go wrong? But somehow this podcast gets it just right thanks to the wit and charm of the co-hosts and their guests. The listener quickly discovers the rankings are used not to incite heated arguments but rather as a starting point to spark a positive deep dive into every Beatle song. Put simply, Ranking The Beatles is a welcome addition to the Beatle podcast universe.

spazaru

Required listening if you like The Beatles at all. Great guests every week and Jonathan and Julia are fun and genuinely funny (even the tired Mike Love jokes). I listen every Tuesday morning as soon as I wake up. One week around Christmas they took the week off so I just slept the whole week until there was a new episode. It was worth the wait.

finfan64

Nice to see a truly excellent new Beatles podcast. This one is hosted by a very appealing young couple, who along with their well selected guests, have a winning combination of professional musical knowledge and the enthusiasm of fans. It’s an interesting format that by definition promises to only get better as it goes along. If they can make the “Only a Northern Song” episode good then they’re unstoppable

Twitter feed is not available at the moment.